OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Wednesday night had all the makings of being a trap match for the No. 2-ranked Johnson County Community College volleyball team.   

With a highly anticipated match at No. 1 and defending national champion Cowley College on Saturday, the Lady Cavaliers could have easily looked past its match across town against Metropolitan Community College Wednesday night. 

That appeared to be playing out after the Wolves downed JCCC 25-22 to win the opening set. However, the Lady Cavaliers rallied to win the next three sets, 25-16, 25-23, 25-23 for a hard-fought 3-1 victory.

Head coach Jennifer Ei got sold efforts from four of her sophomore hitters in the victory. Tori Valentine led the way with 14 kills, followed by 11 from Beth Hedke, nine by Kennedy Smalley and eight from Chloe Carlgren.  Freshman Avery Ringgenberg also had a solid night posting six kills and team-best kill percentage of .308.

Valentine and Smalley also each posted double digits in digs with 16 and 19 respectively. Freshman Carlie Martin produced the most kills with 27, matching her second-highest effort of the season.

Freshman setter Taylin Stallbuamer and sophomore setter Wren VanCleave each reached double figures in assists. Stallbuamer led the way with 35 and VanCleave added 11. 

Johnson County travels to Arkansas City on Saturday looking to hand Cowley its first loss since November 19, 2022, to Grand Rapids at the NJCAA D-II National Tournament, a string of 61 straight matches.